XXXVII

Then I picked up the “Examiner.”  Our “Examiner” does not go in so much for moral causes; it is more interested in getting circulation, for which it relies upon sensation, and especially what it calls “heart interest,” meaning sex.  It had found what it wanted in this story, as you may judge by the headlines: 

MOVIE QUEEN PAWNS JEWELS FOR PROPHET OF GOD

Then followed a story of which Mary Magna was the centre, with T-S and myself for background.  The reporter had hunted out the Mexican family with which Carpenter had spent the night, and he drew a touching picture of Carpenter praying over Mary in this humble home, and converting her to a better life.  Would the “million dollar vamp,” as the “Examiner” called her, now take to playing only religious parts?  Mary was noncommittal on the point; and pending her decision, the “Examiner” published her portraits in half a dozen of her most luxurious roles—­for example, as Salome after taking off the seventh veil.  Side by side with Carpenter, that had a real “punch,” you may believe!

The telephone rang, and there was the voice of T-S, fairly raving.  He didn’t mind the “Examiner” stuff; that was good business, but that in the “Times”—­he was going to sue the “Times” for a million dollars, by God, and would I back him in his claim that he had not put Carpenter up to the healing business?

After a bit, the magnate began apologizing for his repudiation of the prophet.  He was in a position, just now with these hard times, where the Wall Street crowd could ruin him if he got in bad with them.  And then he told me a curious story.  Last night, after the meeting, young Everett, his secretary, had come to him and asked if he could have a couple of months’ leave of absence without pay.  He was so much interested in Carpenter that he wanted to follow him and help him!

“Y’ know, Billy,” said the voice over the phone, “y’ could a’ knocked me over vit a fedder!  Dat young feller, he vas alvays so quiet, and such a fine business feller, I put him in charge of all my collections.  I said to him, ‘Vot you gonna do?’ And he said, ’I gonna learn from Mr. Carpenter.”  Says I, ‘Vot you gonna learn?’ and he says, ‘I gonna learn to be a better man.’  Den he vaits a minute, and he says, ‘Mr. T-S, he told me to foller him!’ J’ ever hear de like o’ dat?”

“What did you say?”

“Vot could I say?  I vanted to say, ‘Who’s givin’ you de orders?’ But I couldn’t, somehow!  I hadda tell him to go ahead, and come back before he forgot all my business.”